GB2512274A

GB2512274A - Rotational pin lock

Info

Publication number: GB2512274A
Application number: GB201302240A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Frederick Crosbie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-08
Filing date: 2013-02-08
Publication date: 2014-10-01
Also published as: GB201302240D0

Abstract

A spring loaded rotational pin locking mechanism with a static part (A) which is mounted to the door or other structure and a rotational part (B) which when in an unlocked position can rotate relative to the static part, the static and rotational parts being connected via a central spigot. In use a circular key or disc-shaped key or plate key has a series of pins spread over its surface, for example in a spiral pattern that match up with a series of split pins in the lock. When the correct key is used, the split pins in the lock are aligned with the outer surface of the static part and the rotational part is free to rotate, thus rotating the spigot which is connected to a suitable linkage. Any number of split pins and pins can be used. The advantage of a key with a flat surface and pins protruding is it should be easier to align in the lock and rotate thus particularly useful for disabled or limited sight people or in low light situations.

Description

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

A ROTATING, STEPPED, SPLIT-PIN LOCKING MECHANISM.

Existing barrel-locks suffer from several inherent problems, not the least of which is that their inner mechanism is directly acáessible and that they are able tQ be opened or picked' from the outside. This problem is minimised by having a small key entrance thus making it difficult but by no means impossible to manipulate the mechanism and open the lock. However, this solution brings with it it's own difficulties, chief among them that the key must fit snugly and with some precision, moreover, the key must be positioned accurately and straight so that it is aligned precisely and this can be difficult and/or confusing for the disabled, or anyone with limited sight, and anyone in low-light conditions. To overcome these problems the present invention proposes a mechanism, by means of a no. of pins that transfers the information to open the lock by a set of * varying distances to a mean point which is deep inside the lock and is not accessible from the outside. This has the benefit of reducing the possibility of picking the lock, moreover, this also helps to keep out any contaminants, thereby keeping the locking mechanism clean and reducing the chance of it jamming. Also because the lock is enabled by a straight push, the strength of the internal springs may be increased, stiffening the mechanism and again reducing the possibility of the lock being manipulated.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the interior mechanism Figure 2 shows an end elevation and accompanying key.

Figure 3 shows a side elevation. As shown in figure 2, I have used 6 pins, which is equivalent to many standard barrel-locks.

However, in standard barrel-lock design, increasing the no. of pins can be problematic, as the orientation of the barrel means there is a conflict between the length of the barrel and the thickness of the door to be secured. And it still suffers from direct outside access.

However, this design may be used in very secure applications because the design does not rely on a key pattern shape' but on simple no's realised by different length pins in a particular position as seen in Figure 1, Thus, this means that for a pin movement of 10mm every extra pin added increases the no. of possible pin positions on a millimetre scale by a factor of 10. So that, a nine pin lock has 1000 times more possible pin positions than a 6 pin lock. Moreover, the no. of pins in this design is determined NOT by the thickness which is uniform but by the diameter which is more freely adjustable as seen in Figure 2. 1 have also stepped the pins in diameter, and this has two advantages. Firstly, the shoulder acts to hold the pins securely in place against the push of the spring as seen in Figure 1. And secondly, the reduced diameter of the front part of the pin in relation to the rear part; means that the rotating part of the lock cannot be forced by using a tool to engage the pin holes, as the cross sectional area of the rear part of the pin will be increased 4 fold simply by doubling the diameter. E.G.

1.5 mm dia =l.77mrn2 3.0mm dia=7.07mm2, thus, the pins on any tool used in this way will deform before the internal lock pins will shear. Figure 1.

Finally my design has another advantage, namely that the key, not being reliant on its inherent shape does not need a snug fit in the lock. Its security is based on the length and position of the pins only, and this makes the key very easy to engage. And by using lugs to position the key and with a simple forward push it can be used by anyone with disabilities affecting their grip or with partial sight and/or in extremely low light conditions, See fig3.

A DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The lock consists of two primary parts. Part A, the anchor part that is attached to the door or opening to be secured. And part B, the rotational portion where the key is engaged. Part A consists of a block of material shaped to fit any particular application. This has a hole bored completely through it at the centre. Around it are smaller holes bored part way through, gradually increasing iii distance from the centre, this forms a spiral pattern of holes. This arrangement is necessary to prevent any overlap of the holes as the lock is turned, and keep the pins in their original holes.

Part B (the rotating portion), is aligned with part A using a central spigot that extends completely through part A. this spigot has a dual purpose, it locks the two parts together and transfers the turning motion of the lock to any suitable linkage.

Part B also has a set of holes in a corresponding spiral pattern, such that when the lock is in the closed position they align with the holes in part A precisely. And the locking pins can move perpendicular to the rotation.

Each pin is made up of two parts whose overall lengths are identical but within a given margin the break between the two parts varies.

The key has a corresponding number of pins that align with the holes on the lock. The length of the pins varies, such that each pin, when fully engaged, is of a length to depress the inner pin to a point where the break in that particular pin matches the point where part A and B meet. Each interior pin is spring loaded and when the key is engaged they are all held in the correct position. Only then can the lock be rotated and locked or unlocked.